Hi-Point C9 9mm Pistol: Viable Option for Defensive Use?

And, speaking of pistols, here at DefenseReview, we carry Glock pistols (primarily G19s and G30s), HK P7s (HKP7M13, specifically), custom Browning Hi-Powers, and custom 1911s. Recently though, we’ve considered adding one of the Springfield XD .45 pistols (.45ACP pistols made by Springfield Armory) to the mix, since they’ve been getting rave reviews from a number of very knowledgable professional contacts. Not only is the Spingfield XD .45 reliable, but it’s also reportedly very strong with a well-supported chamber, so it can handle some pretty high-pressure ammo.

The reason I’m going into all that is to give the reader an idea of our tastes when it comes to pistols. I’m about to write about a pistol I never thought I would, and I do it with some trepidation. Gunwriter Paul Markel recently wrote a rather positive article on the…

Markel actually experienced two non-gun-related/operator-error-type malfunctions. The first happened when he inadvertently hit the magazine release button with his right-hand thumb. When the magazine released, the safety engaged. Markel re-seated the magazine, racked the slide, and he was back in business. The second malfunction happened after he changed his grip after the first malfunction and attempted to use a high-thumb grip. Markel’s thumbs contacted the slide and impinged slide cycling during the recoil stroke. Markel "tapped and racked", and he was back in the game, again.

While those two malfunctions do tend to indicate operator-error, it’s also possible for a gun to have ergonomic deficiencies that can lead to these types of malfunctions. However, Markel didn’t write about any such ergonomic problems with the C9.

Markel only tested the C9 at 10 yards, since, in his words, "this gun is not a 25-yard bench gun". He proceed to write that the sights "were right on from the factory", "the gun was pretty darn accurate", and that "the rounds went exactly where they were supposed to go." He wasn’t any more specific than that, so Defense Review doesn’t know how many inches the test rounds went into at the 10-yard distance.

Bottom line is, while he described it as the "anti-BBQ gun" (a "BBQ gun" being the kind of gun you show off at a barbeque), Markel liked the Hi-Point C9 for what it was, and essentially recommended it for anyone who presumably doesn’t have the approx. $500 necessary to purchase a pistol like the Glock 19 or Springfield XD series. So, what’s suggested retail on the Hi-Point C9 9mm pistol? $140. No that’s not a misprint.

While DefenseReview still recommends that the reader save up for a Glock 19 (G19), Springfield XD (9mm, .40 S&W, or .45ACP), Smith & Wesson 5906 (9mm), or some other more expensive pistol if he/she needs a ready-out-of-the-box carry gun for serious social purposes (CCW, home defense, etc.), the C9 may just be worth taking a look at by those who need an inexpensive pistol in short order and simply can’t get $500 or more together for those more expensive pistols in the requisite amount of time, or if one is just looking for an inexpensive plinker for recreational shooting. However, DefRev simply can’t recommend the Hi-Point C9, at this point. We haven’t handled it, shot it, or even seen it in person, yet. And, the $149 price tag doesn’t exactly instill confidence with regard to perceived quality. We’re not saying the C9 isn’t a quality handgun. It might be. However, DefenseReview has found that in general, you get what you pay for in this life.

I decided to write about the C9, since I have a tendency to be somewhat of a snob when it comes to combat pistols, and I wanted to try to defy that a little bit, here. Time will tell if the C9 is actually worth the ink I’ve just given it. We’re going "Fox News" on this one–we report, you decide.

Editor’s Note: DefenseReview isn’t really crazy about the Springfield XD’s grip safety. We’d prefer to see the gun without it, and our specific preference would for either a frame-mounted sweep-down thumb safety (manual safety) a la 1911 pistol or a front-situated grip safety a la HK P7 pistol series or Beretta PM12S2 submachine gun.

About David Crane

David Crane started publishing online in 2001. Since that time, governments, military organizations, Special Operators (i.e. professional trigger pullers), agencies, and civilian tactical shooters the world over have come to depend on Defense Review as the authoritative source of news and information on "the latest and greatest" in the field of military defense and tactical technology and hardware, including tactical firearms, ammunition, equipment, gear, and training.

8 comments

I have owned a Hi Point 9mm for quite some time now, and it was actually my 1st handgun. It is also my everyday carry gun, tucked real nice into my shoulder holster. I bought the gun for $125 and have loved it since the day I bought it. It did jam quite a bit, because the 8 round clip somehow got damaged, but when I went and purchased a 10 round mag., it hasn’t jammed once since. It will fire as fast as I can squeeze the trigger, and that’s pretty damn fast. Although, it’s always negative remarks about the gun, everyone who has shot my gun has wanted it. Which I always have and always will refuse. Their cheap enough for everyone to be able to purchase one. I plan to purchase the Hi Point 40 & 45 in the very near future. For $170 each and they come with a case and two 10 round mags each, you really can’t pass that up and be smart at the same time.

you”re absolutely right you get what you pay for……and on that note i’m a active shooter and hunter, I bought my c 9 9mm in 2003 & to make this short, I actually love shooting it . I’m a pretty good shot with all weapons, and with this gun i hold a 6 to 8 inch group @ 100 yards, so I know it’s very accurate. the first 4 years I had no problems, since then it hangs rounds on ejection, I tried new clips, tweaking the clips no difference, so since it has a lifetime warranty, I’m going to send it and clips in for diagnostic and repair.If anyone decides to buy one I would not trust it with you’r life, it is great for plinking and hunting and is very comfortable to shoot, but I love my : RUGER P90 OKLAHOMA HIGHWAY PATROL COMMEMORATIVE 45 even more. Food For thought!!!!!!!!!!!!